Automatic regulating device.



No. s'mzasf PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908. P. H. THOMAS.

AUTOMATIC REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 16, 1905.

, 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 877,258. PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

P. H. THOMAS! AUTOMATIC REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. 1905. 4

3 SHEETS-BHEET 2.

No. 877,258. PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

P.H.THOMAS. I

AUTOMATIC REGULATING DEVICE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16. 1905;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wi lmcooco 9/ l UNITED STATES PATENT or nrcn PERCY H. THOMAS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COOPER HEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

Original application filed February 17. 1903. fierial No. 143.760. Divided and this application filed June 16. 1905. Serial No. 265.501.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known' that I, PERCY H. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and resident, of Montclair, county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic B egulating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

In another application filed by me on the 7th day of February, 1903, and bearing the Serial Number 142.255 I have shown and de scribed a system of electrical distribution in which means are provided for delivering to a work or consumption circuit, the proper amount of electrical energy for satisfying the momentary needs of the service, such means depending on selecting and utilizing ortions of successive cycles which shal be adapted to deliver the desired energy.

The system referred to is adapted to be controlled through the action of current rectifiers which permit theflow of current in one direction and oppose a practically prohibitive resistance to the flew of current in the oppositedirection, coupled with devices in the supply circuit for so accelerating theenergy derived from the source as to predetermine the time when energy shall begin to traverse the rectifiers.

It should be understood that the apparatus described as a rectifier is characterized by a reluctance to starting which a 'pears particularly at one of the electro es. When current isapplied to the apparatus, an electric strain is, produced at the said electrode and by increasing this strain to the breaking point, the apparatus may be started into operation, after which it will continue to operate until the zero point of the wave is reached. The momentof starting an apparatus 'of this character can be predetermined by selecting the time when the critical breaking down strain is applied to the apparatus. The time being selected so as to coincide with a certain portion of a cycle,

. The energy made use of in-the receiving or consumption circuit may be of any desired amount within the capacity of the supply circuit. Should it be desired to deliver to the receiving circuit, for example, a current of low voltage, the starting can be so timed as to utilize the latter part of a cycle or a succession of cycles, where the voltage is low, while by a proper adjustment of the controlling devices, the part of the cycle which is utilized may be shifted so as to apply to the receiving circuit the maximum voltage, if desired, or any intermediate voltage.

In the system described and shown in the i application referred to, the regulation of the energy delivered to the receiving circuit is voluntarily controlled according to the known needs of such circuit. By the present invention rovision is made for automatically supp ying to the receiving circuit an amount of energy corresponding to the load on such circuit, thereby tending to. create conditions in the consum tion circuit adapted to the existing needs t ereof. The means by which such automatic regulation is accomplished are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams of systems adapted to accomplish the results named; and Fig. 3 is a diagram of a direct current system together with certain details of apparatus which may be made use of in con nection with such system.

In Fig. 1, main conductors 1 andZ are shown, the same beingassumed to be connected with a source of alternating current. Leading from these mains are wires 3 and 4 which are suitably connected with receiving circuit wires 5 and 6. The receiving circuit may contain translating devices, 7 and. 8, of any suitable character. Between the Wires 3 and 4 I may interpose the primary, 9, of a transformer, and also a suitable inductance 10.

The primary .9 may be. provided 'with means of Well-known character, varying the applied voltage, as illustrated by the leads, 11,- 11, and the movable switch. arm 12. The latter is connected. with a longitudinally movable arm, 13, pivoted to a bellcrank lever, 14, as shown. The bell-crank lever ispivoted'at 15, and a counterweight, 16, is rovided for drawing the left hand end of the ever downward when the opposite end is relieved, as will be presently explained. The said opposite end is connected by a link, 17, with the core, 18, of a shunt coil, 19, the said core being also wound with a series coil 20. It will be observed that the resistance represented at 1]. is connected inshunt relaresi ance is introduced into the shunt circuit as by the movement of the bell crank lever to the left, the voltage applied to the primary 9 will be greater, while the voltage tionsgvith the' primary 9 so that when more I applied to the said primary will be decreased by the cutting out of resistance through the movement of the said bell crank lever to the right. e

Between the conductors 4 and 6, I insert a gas or vapor electric apparatus, 23, consisting of a suitable contalner inclosing a conducting gas or vapor and provided. with electhe electric strain which is produced at each electrode when current is applied to the ter-- minals or electrodes of the apparatus.

Not only do the means about to be "described provide'for the alternate breaking down of the electrode reluctance, but they also'bring it about that the time at which the critical or breaking down strain shall be. applied to each electrode may be predetermined. This bein the case, onl such portions of each cyci; as follow t e starting point of the cycle will be applied to the consumption circuit and only until the zero surrounded by a starting hand, one of which point of the wave isreached.

It will be observed that each-electrode is is indicated -at'26, and theother at 27 It will also be seen that each of thestarting bands is connected by'a conductor, 28, with thecircuit on-the opposite s1de of the apparatus. It has been found that-the presence of such. starting bands facilitates the starting of apparatus of the character described, and a convenient mode of applying the critical strain to the apparatus is by making the application through the said starting bands.- This is done in the present instance, by means of two secondaries, 21

and 22 for the transformer primary 9, one of said secondaries being included between the conductor 3 (or 4) and thestarting baild 27,

' and the other being included between the cpnductor 3 (or 4) and the starting band 26.

The average energy delivered to the receiving circuit depends upon the portions of the cycles of the supply actually utilized.

This portion may be determined by the relative point in the cycle at which energy is first allowed to traverse the device 23. On

account of the nature of this device current flow is initiated at the instant the strain introduced by starting bands 26 and'2 7, exjceeds the critical amount.

This time maybe varied either by' increasing the natural '65 .maximum voltage of thesecondary windings 21 and 22' so that the critical strain is reached at an earlier oint of every cycle or by the variation of t e phase of the electromotive-- force of 21 and 22 so that any given point of either cycle is reached earlier or later relative to the supply cycle for the receiving circuit. These results may beproduced by the arrangement of circuits shown in Fig. 1.

different portions of the totalcurrent passing g the coil 10 are caused to pass through the primary 9 and to give the variation of phase and magnitude of the current actually traversing 9. e

By the proper adjustment of the circuit of the said primary through the movable arm 13 and the movable contact 12, the degree of acceleration or retardation of the secondary electro-motiveforces may be controlled so as to predetermine the times when the critical strains are a plied to the respective startingbands. I 1 the proper adjustment is made, the starting of the device 23 in alternatively opposite directions, and consequently the delivery of current to the receiving circuit may be made at selected points in the cycles, whereby the average amount of energy delivered to the receiving circuit can be regulated. The systemshown is intended to make such regulation dependent upon the demands of the receiving circuit, thls being accomplished through the medium of the differentially wound shunt and series coils l9.and 20, and the parts associated therewith. For example, should the voltage in the receiving circuit decrease,

the core 18 within these coils will be lifted through the action of the counterweight 16 and, through the illustrated system of levers, the contact 12 will be moved towardsthe left, thereby shunting a smaller portion of the current around the primary 9. On the other hand, should the volta eincrease in the receivin will be reverse The exact method of operation of the device of this figure will be understood from the following: Assuming that a satisfactory con-- ginning. with the commencement of some cycle there will be applied from Wires 3 and 4 across the work clrcuit and the device 23 gradually an electric pressure which will in circuit, thedescri ed action dition of operation has been reached and begeneral be insufhcient to overcome the negative electrode reluctance thereof so that no current p'assestherethrough in the initial stages, but with the 'increasing strain this condition is more nearly reached as the alter-.

nation proceeds. At the same time current is passing through the coil 10 and the transformer primary 9" due to the voltage upon the will follow, the current however flowing in ginning, so that current will flow to the work electrode re uctance of the negative electrode proportion of the resistance 11.

.while the path 9 is inductive, the latter lagthrough the transformer primary 9, thus in wires 3 and 4 which in turn causes a strain to be applied to the starting bands 26 and 27 from the transformer secondaries 21 and 22. When now this strain becomes sufficient, for example, when one-third of the alternation has passed, the negative electrode reluctance of Whichever of the two electrodes 24 and 25 is ne ative will-be overcome and current will from the wires 3 and 4, the wires 5 and 6 to the work circuit. Thiscurrent flow will continue in virtue 'of the characteristics of the negative electrode until the current drops nearly or uite to zero when the negative will reestablish itself. As now voltage rises in the next alternation in the opposite direction, the same series of phenomena theopposite direction. The first third of the alternation will, as before, be a time of no current flow, while the remaining two-thirds, or thereabout, will be a time of supply of energy. Each alternation will then be a repetition of one of the two just described and energy will be impressed steadilyupon the work circuit from the mains in a definite quantity.

Supposing now that more energy is required in the supply circuit, as by dropping of the potential between the wires 5 and 6 which will result from a change in the demands, for example, of the motor 8. The coil 19 being excited by this pote'ntialwill be reducedin its attraction on the core 18 which will allow the counter weight 16 to pull the contact 12 to the left, increasing the effective This will increase the voltage upon the transformer primary 9 and at the same time advance the phase of the electrom'otive-force. therein, as will be seen from the following conditions: The coil 10 has a tendency to determine the phase of the current passing therethrough in view of its power to absorb voltage. Whatever currentpasses through the coil 10 divides between the primary 9 and the resistance 11. The two portions will be out of phase since the ath 11 is non-inductive,

ging behind theformer. An increase of the resistance 11 now forces a larger proportion of the total current passing through 10 creasing its magnetizing power and 'ad'vancing its phase since the component received from 11 is leading with reference to the pre vious current in 9. As a net result, the critical voltage which is sufficient to overcome the negative electrode reluctance of 24 or 25, whichever happens to bethe negative electrode, will occur at an earlier part of the alternation, perhaps one-fifth from the becircuit during approximately five-sixths of the alternation instead of two-thirds, which 1 9 and 11 can be more clearly followed by means of the diagram shown in Fig. 4. In this figure OY represents the reference line and OA a line revolving in the direction shown by the arrow whose projection upon ()Y may represent the current in the coil 10. The position in which the line OA is shown in the figure. is chosen by accident. This current divides between 9 and 11. Since 9 is inductive and 11 is ohmic the current in the latter will be 90 degrees ahead of the current in the former. If we choose such an adjustment of the resistance 11 that the currents in 9 and 11 are numerically substantially equal they may be represented respectively by OB and OC; OB thus represents the magnetizing current in the current 9. x If now the resistan'ce 11 be greatly increased to reduce the current therein tea-small value as OE the current in 9 will be OD. From this it is evi-- dent that by the increase in resistance of 11 the current in 9 has been advancedfrom OB to DD and at the same time increased in numerical value.

Similarly, the coil 20 may act to maintain the proper flow of current in the work circuit, or other regulating relations may be obtained.

It should be noted that, except where special effects are desiredjthe coil 20 will be so designed as not to have sufficient power to neutralize the degree of pull of coil 19 on decreased voltage due to increased lead current; otherwise, the obj ect of the device might be defeated; and in general it is necessary to so proportion the parts that the desired result which may vary through a very wide range of conditions will be secured as may be readily done by any one skilled in the art.

In cases where it isnot desired to have the motion of the core 18 correspond exactly to the action of the coil 19 the coil 20 connected in series with the receiving circuit may be added to accelerate or diminish the action of the shunt coil 19.

I Any suitable means or method whereby v the effects accomplished through the mechanical means herein described may be used in place of such mechanical means, if desired.

In Fig. 2, 29 represents an alternating cur- 7 rent generator, and 30 an exciter therefor.

he mains 1 and 2' are here connected with the conductors 5 and 6, through a gas or vapor electric apparatus 31 which serves the purposes of a rectifier, permitting the passage of current in the direction indicated by the arrow, and preventing the discharge of current in the opposite direction under ordinary conditions. The, starting band 32 is connected to the conductor 2, and the'primary 9 is here placed in series with aresistance, 33,

accomplishing this being here connected with a link, '36, connected to a lever, 37,

pivoted at 38. The opposite end of this ever is connected by a link, 39, with the core, 40, of a coil, 41, connected as a shunt coil between the conductors 1 and 2. Translating devices are shown at 42, 43, between the receiving mains 5 and 6. At 101 I show a vapor converter the function of which is to supply the exciter 30 with currents of one direction only. It accomplishes this purpose in view with negative electrode reluctance at one of the electrodes which permits the flow of current in one direction and sup-- presses it in another.

The starting band 100 serves as a means for breaking down the reluctance of the negative electrode to allow the passage of current in the proper direction. The starting band 100 is connected through the pivot 38 and the link 36 with the sliding contact 35. In the system illustrated in this diagram one half of the impulses from the generator pass into the receiving circuit, the otherimpulses being suppressed. v It is, of course, understood that the energy taken through the converter 101 may be taken from the generator during those impulses which are wrongly directed for use 1n .the devices 42 and 43 as is so shown in Fig. 2, though by op ositely directing the converter 101 the impu ses through the exciter 30 may be taken at the same timeas impulses through the converter 31..

The proper operation of the apparatus will be clear from the following; When voltage in the proper direction is impressed by the generator 29 upon the mains 1 and 2, current will flow through the converter 31 in view of. the strain introduced upon the negative electrode thereof by the connection of the starting band 32 to the wire 2 and will pass to the wires 5 and 6 and through the various devices connected thereto. When the impulse of the generator 29 is in the oppositedirection, no current can pass the converter 31- since no means are rovided for breaking down the negative e ectrode reluctance of the negat ve electrode under these conditions.- The excitation of the generator 29 is secured throughthe unidirectional impulses passed from the mains 1 and 2 through the 1 converter 101 to the exciter 30 here shown as a field coil.

These impulses can pass through the converter 101 in one direction in virtue of the impression of a critical strain on erning the strength of the excitation in 30- by the shunt coil 41 and cooperating plunger 40. When a definite condition-of transmission of energy exists, a certain magnetizing current passes through the resistance 33 to the primary '9 and there excites the second,- ary 34 which impresses a critical strain upon the starting band 100 of the converter 101 at the desired instant to allow a sufficient quan-- able contact 35 which will include a larger portionof the secondary 34 in the circuit to the starting band 100 and the resulting higher voltage will-cause the critical strain upon the starting band 100 to accrue at an earlier time, thus increasing the amount of exciting-energy and raising the generator voltage. Similarly with the reverse operation. At 101 I show a vapor converter, the function of which is to sup ly the exciter 30 with currents-of one direc ion only.- It accomplishes this urpose in view of the negative electrode re uctance at one of the electrodes which permits current flow in one direction and suppresses it in the other.

In Fig. 3, I have illustrated the applicaply circuit, the mains of which are shownat 44 and 45. The receiving circuit has the main conductors, 46 and 47. The translating devices are shown at 48 and 49.

For convenience of illustration, I heremains is sufficient to reduce the energy in.

said mains below the point where it will be transmitted through t e device 50. Consetion of my invention ,to a direct current supquently, the circuit will be'momentarily I openedand can only be started again by the creation within the device of a critical or breaking down strain. The impulse tending to create this strain may be app ied as before to the starting band 52 of the device 50, the said band being connected through the secondary, 53, of a transformer to the opposite main 45. The primary, 54, of'the said transformer is connected by one terminal to hemain 44, and by the other to a brush, 55,

which cooperates with an insulating disk, 56, carrying a conducting piece, 57, on its peri: phery A: second. brush, 58, also cooperating with said disk and conducting piece and hav- I ing a certain amount of lead with res act to the brush 55, is j oined by a wire, 59, with the main 45. The said disk 56 is mounted upon a shaft, 60, so as to be ca able of partial rotation thereon, and throu ii a hub, 61, attached to the disk it has a clutc connection with the hub, 85, of a similar disk, 62, the latter hub being adapted to engage with the hub 61 by means of angularly placed teeth 63, as shown. The disk '62 carries a conducting piece, 64, ada ted to co6perate with brushes, 65 and 66, the atter of which is connected by a Wire, 67, with the main conductor 44, and the former I of which is. connected by a wire, 68, with one side of the condenser 51, the oppositeside of which is joined tothe conductor 45.

The disk 52 is feathered to the shaft 60 and rotates therewith, while the disk 56 is also adapted to rotate with the shaft but only by reason of the en agement of the teeth 63, 63 on the respective ubs. The shaft 60 is rotated by means of a motor, 69. During its rotation, the shaft carries with it the disks 56 and 62, and at intervals brings the. conducting plates 57 and 64 into contact with the respective pairs of brushes connected on the one hand to the wire 45 and the primary 54, and on the other to the wire 44 and the condenser 51. Accordingly, once in each rotation of the shaft, the circuit of the condenser 51 is closed, thereby momentarily interrupting the flow of current through the device 50, and the circuit of the primary 54 is also closed,

the respective closures of the circuit being so timed that the condenser circuit shall be completed just in advance of the closure of the circuit of the primary 54. The closure of the former circuit acts to withdraw the energy from the rectifier to practically open the circuit at that point, while the closure of the circuit through the primaryacts to charge the secondary to impress u on the starting band 52 a critical strain Whic starts the current once more through the rectifier.

It is evidentthat the disks 56 and 62 may have their angular relations varied by moving one disk towards the other and thereby causing the disk 56 to be rotated somewhat upon the shaft 60. The relative time at w ich the circuit of the primary 54 shall be completed after the completion of the condenser circuit is, therefore, variable. as indicated. This variation can be accomplished through the action of a shunt circuit,

- and 71, including a coil, 72, such shunt circuit being connected on opposite sides of a resistance, 73, in the main conductor 47.

When the current delivered to the receiving circuit becomes excessive by reason of a change of load in such circuit or,from any other cause, the solenoid coil 72 will become charged beyond the normal and will tend to draw down its core, 74, and to shift the system of levers represented by the link, 7 5, t e angular lever, 76, and the levers, 77, 78, 79 and 80, connected therewith. The drawing in of the core 74, manifestly acts upon the disk 56 so as to cause it to be moved toof the system of levers more and more into the power of a weight, 82, acting in opposition to the downward pull of the solenoid 72.

In another application filed February 17, 1903, Serial Number 143,760, of which this application is adivision, claims are made u on certain methods 0 osed herein.

In still another application, filed June 14, 1907, Serial Number 378,896, constituting a division hereof, claims are made upon certain specific disclosures made herein.

I claim as my invention 1. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receivingl circuit is fed from an alternating .supply t e combination of a vapor electric device requiring a reinforced potential to start the current flow, means for applying such reinforced potential to said device, with means for varying the time of application of said reinforced potential, together with means responsive to the delivered energy for controlling said varying means. I 4 Y 2. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receiving circuit is fed from an alternating supply the combination of a vapor electric devlce requiring a reinforced potential, and a starting band for a )plying said reinforced potential to said device. with means for varying the time of ap lication of said reinforced potential, toget ier with means responsive to the delivered energy for controlling said varying means.

3. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receiving circuit is fed from an intermittent supply the combination of a gas or vapor electric device requiring the application of starting means after any cessation of current and suitable startin means therefor, with means for varying t e time of application of said starting means, together with means res onsive to the delivered energy for contro ing said varying means.

4. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receiving circuit is fed from an alternating current supply the combination of a vapor electric device requiring a reinforced potential to start current flow and means for applying such reinforced potential to said device, with means for advancing and re- ,tarding the application of said reinforced potential, toget er with means for controling thelast named means in response to appropriate change in the circuit requirements.

of operation dis- 5. In a system of electrical distribution in inforced potential to start current fiow and means for applying such reinforced potential to said device, with means for advancing and retarding the application of said rein-v forced iotential, together with means for controlling the last named meansin response to appropriate change in the circuit requirements, said means including at least one electro-magnet.

4 6. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receiving circuit is fed from an alternating current supply, the combination of a vapor electric device requiring a reinforced potential to start current flow, and means for applying such reinforced potential to said devices, with means for advancing and retarding the application of reinforced potential, together with means for controlling the last named means in response to appropriate change in the circuit requirements, said means including two codperating magnet coils responsive to different characteristics of the circuits.

7. In a system of electrical distribution from an alternatingsupply the combination of a vapor electric device requiring a startin means after any cessation of current and sultable starting means therefor, with means for operating said starting means during impulses of the supply wheneach are directed in a predetermined direction. I

8. In a system of electrical distribution in which energy is delivered to the work. circuit from a supply circuit through a vapor electric device the combination of means for interrupting current between the work circuit and the su ply and means for applying a critical re-in orced potential for restablishing said current flow, with means independent of the work circuit and supply circuit for varying and controlling the time of application of the critical reinforcedpotential.

, 9. Ina system of electrical distribution in which energy. is delivered to the work circuit from a supply circuit through a vapor electric. device the combination of means for interrupting current between the work circuit and the supply and means for applying a critical reinforced otential for reestablishing said current ow, with means independent of the work circuit and supply circuit for varying. and controlling the time of application; of the critical rcinforced potential, the last, named means being automatically responsive to the circuit conditions. 4

10. In a system of electrical distribution wherein a-supply circuit carrying an alternating current is connected with areceiving circuit subject to variations of load, and wherein current rectifiers characterized by a reluctance to starting are'interposed in the system at a suitable oint or points, means for adapting the supp y to the needs of the receiving system, such means consisting of a transformer, and devices acted upon by variations of load in the receiving circuit for accelerating or retarding the secondary electro-motive-force of the transformer.

1]. In a system of electrical distribution wherein a supply circuit carrying an alternating current is connected with a receiving circuit subject to -variations of load, and wherein current rectifiers characterized by a reluctance to starting are interposed in the system at a suitable point or points, means for adapting the sup ly to the needs of the receiving system, suc means consisting of a transformer, a variable element acting on said transformer, an electro-magnetic device controlling the said variable element and determining the time or times at which the secondary electro-motive-force of the said transformer shall be applied to the current rectifier or rectifiers.

12. In a system ofelectrical distribution transformer, and devices for adjusting the a secondary electro-motive-force thereof, a, i t

lever adapted to cause such adjustment by its varying positions, and one or more coils adapted to alter the position of the said lever in response to variations of load in the receiving circuit.

13. In a system 'of electrical distribution wherein a supply circuit carrying, an alternating current is connected witha receivingcircuit subject to variations of load, and

wherein current rectifiers characterized'by a reluctance to starting are-interposed in the system at a suitable pointcrpoints, means for adapting the supply to the needs of the receiving system, suc transiormer, and devices for adjusting the secondary electro 4 motive-force thereof, a

lever adapted to cause such adjustment by means consisting of a its varying positions, and a series coil'and a I shunt coil connected with the receiving circuit, the said coilsactingdifferentially upon the said arm in response to variations of load in the receiving circuit.

' .14. In a system of electrical distribution" in which a receiving circuit is fed from an alternating current supply the combination of a vapor electric device requiring a reinforced potential to start current flow, and

means of applying such reinforced potential to said device with means or varying the time of application of said reinforcedpotential, together with meansres'ponsive to the delivered energy for controlling said varying means, said means for varying the application of the reinforced electro-motive force including means for changing the relative phase of an exciting transformer.

15. In a system of electrical distribution in which a receiving circuit is fed from an alternating current supply the combination of a vapor electric device requiring a reinforced potential to start current flow, and means for applying such reinforced potential to said device, with means for varying the time of application of said reinforced potential, together with means responsive to the delivered energy for controlling said va- I rying means, said last named means including a coil in shunt upon the receiving circuit.

16. In a system of electrical distribution inwhich a Work circuit is supplied from an alternating current generator; means for controlling the time of application of supply to work circuit in each alternation, said means being variable, together with means for controlling said variable means to deliver a suitable portion of the supply cycles to the work circuit.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 14th day of June A. D. 1905.

PERCY H. THOMAS. 

